Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has revealed the halftime talk that inspired their come-from-behind 3-2 win over Orlando Pirates.
The Western Cape outfit were trailing 2-0 with 20 minutes to go in the second half, until goals from Iqraam Rayners, Devon Titus and Andre de Jong secured the turnaround in eight minutes.
Barker informed his players that they had nothing to lose heading into the second half after giving the Soweto giants too much respect in the first.
Read: Pirates End 2023 With Back-To-Back Losses
"At halftime we obviously had a serious chat, I just felt first half we weren't at the races, we just gave them too much respect, we weren't brave enough to get the ball and play," Barker told SuperSport after the game.
"And I just said to them, listen here, 'We've got nothing to lose in the second-half, just show more braveness, more courage, get on the ball, play the way we can, we're champions of the cup recently for nothing, we're not on an unbeaten run of ten games for nothing. Go and show who you are and what you're made of'.
"And when we went 2-0 down, you know I thought obviously the game may be beyond us but I thought a big change was our substitutes. I thought Antonio Van Wyk came on and changed the game, causing problems, we got a little braver with the ball.
Barker went on to praise the substitutes who helped turn the game around at Orlando Stadium.
"Jayden Adams drafted into midfield, helped us with the build-up, (Nhlanhla) Mgaga added, Andre de Jong added to our play and it must be, I don't know, three goals in how minutes, it's probably one of the most incredible moments in that short period," he continued.
"To come away from home after all the travelling we've been through, 2-0 down at Orlando Stadium, with a big crowd behind Orlando Pirates, to come and win 3-2 it's just amazing."
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